University
Immunization
Rates in Indiana
2005 Assessment Results
Data in this report was collected from six
public universities and compiled by the
Indiana State Department of Health
Immunization Program.
Governor
Mitchell E. Daniels, Jr.
State Health Commissioner
Judith A. Monroe, M.D.
Indiana State Department of Health
Judith A. Monroe, M.D., State Health Commissioner
Sue Uhl, J.D., Deputy State Health Commissioner
Community and Family Health Services Commission
Vacant, Assistant Commissioner
Immunization Program
Michael Runau, M.S., Program Director
Charlene Graves, M.D., Medical Director
Primary Author
Megan Steiger, M.P.H., Epidemiologist
Immunization Program
Indiana State Department of Health
2 N Meridian Street
Indianapolis, IN 46204
The Indiana State Department of Health gratefully acknowledges the
efforts of the university staff members who had the major task of
implementing this law at their respective institutions.
Preface
In 1993, the Indiana General Assembly enacted legislation, implemented in 1995 (IC 20-12-71), requiring new full-time students attending classes at a residential public postsecondary institution to document immunity against five diseases preventable by vaccination. As a result of this law, six universities (Ball State University, Indiana State University, Indiana University, Purdue University, the University of Southern Indiana, and Vincennes University) require matriculating students to document proof of immunity to measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus, and diphtheria. The law requires the universities to designate a record-keeping office who will maintain records on all full-time matriculating students and identify those students who are exempt from providing proof of immunity for religious or medical reasons. Students are to be denied second semester enrollment if they do not provide the proper documentation of immunity. The six universities are also required to submit individual reports, indicating the immune status of their students, to the Indiana State Department of Health on an annual basis. The present report, University Immunization Rates in Indiana prepared by the Indiana State Department of Health, summarizes the data received from the universities for the 2004-2005 school year.
Highlights
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A total of 27,947 incoming students were subject to the immunization requirements at the six universities, as required by law and university policy for the 2004-2005 school year.
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The overall percentage of new full-time students completely vaccinated with individual vaccines ranged from 93.8% (measles) to 94.2% (mumps/rubella).
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The overall percentage of new full-time students in compliance with the law and university policy ranged from 94.5% (tetanus/diphtheria) to 95.5% (rubella).
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All six universities showed compliance levels above 90% for all required immunities.
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All six universities reported whether students were in compliance with state requirements. A total of 423 (1.5%) students received notice of their exclusion from second semester enrollment from their universities due to their failure to comply with state immunization requirements.
| Measles (%) |
Mumps (%) |
Rubella (%) |
Tetanus (%) |
Diphtheria (%) |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Students with Complete Vaccine Record |
26223 (93.8%) |
26318 (94.2%) |
26325 (94.2%) |
26284 (94.0%) |
26281 (94.0%) |
| Number of Students with Disease History | 49 | 37 | |||
| Number of Students with Documented Laboratory Immunity | 186 | 105 | 157 | 0 | 0 |
| Number of Students Born Before January 1, 1957 | 93 | 93 | 93 | ||
| Number of Students with Medical Exemptions | 77 | 67 | 67 | 72 | 72 |
| Number of Students with Religious Exemptions | 42 | 41 | 41 | 43 | 43 |
| Total Number of Students in Compliance* |
26670 (95.4%) |
26661 (95.4%) |
26683 (95.5%) |
26399 (94.5%) |
26397 (94.5%) |
Total Number of Students Who Received a Notice of Exclusion from
Second Semester Enrollment for Failure to Comply with Immunization
Policy: 423 (1.5%)
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* Some students may have been included in more than one compliance category resulting in immunization coverage levels above 100 percent. |
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Figure 1. Percent of students in compliance with Indiana state law, for all six universities, previous five school years. |
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Figure 2: Percent of students completely vaccinated, for all six universities, previous five school years |
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* Some students may have been included in more than one compliance category. |
Total Number of Students Who Received a Notice of Exclusion from Second Semester Enrollment for Failure to Comply with Immunization Policy: 51 (1.5%)
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Figure 3. Percent of Ball State University students completely vaccinated for the last five school years. |
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* Some students may have been included in more than one compliance category. |
Total Number of Students Who Received a Notice of Exclusion from
Second Semester Enrollment for Failure to Comply with Immunization
Policy: 62 (2.7%)
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Figure 4. Percent of Indiana State University students completely vaccinated for the last five school years. |
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* Some students may have been included in more than one compliance category. |
Total Number of Students Who Received a Notice of
Exclusion from
Second Semester Enrollment for Failure to Comply with Immunization
Policy: 164 (2.0%)
 |
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Figure 5. Percent of Indiana University Bloomington students completely vaccinated for the last five school years. |
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* Some students may have been included in more than one compliance category. |
Total Number of Students Who Received a Notice of
Exclusion from
Second Semester Enrollment for Failure to Comply with Immunization
Policy: 19 (0.2%)
 |
| Figure 6. Percent of Purdue University students completely vaccinated for the last five school years. |
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| * Some students may have been included in more than one compliance category. |
Total Number of Students Who Received a Notice of
Exclusion from
Second Semester Enrollment for Failure to Comply with Immunization
Policy: 1 (.0003%)
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Figure 7. Percent of University of Southern Indiana students completely vaccinated for the last five school years. |
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* Some students may have been included in more than one compliance category. |
Total Number of Students Who Received a Notice of Exclusion from
Second Semester Enrollment for Failure to Comply with Immunization
Policy: 126 (5.9%)
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Figure 8. Percent of Vincennes University students completely vaccinated for the last five school years. |
Total Number of Students Who Received a Notice of Exclusion from
Second Semester Enrollment for Failure to Comply with Immunization
Policy: 150 (7.0%)
Recommendations and Conclusions
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The number of students in compliance is the lowest it has been in the last five assessment years. According to IC 20-12-71, schools need to ensure that all students are protected against measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus, and diphtheria.
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Universities reported the lowest number of students vaccinated against measles, mumps, and rubella in the last five assessment years. If a student has not been vaccinated against these diseases, then they need to make certain the student provides proof of immunity.
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Half of the universities assessed experienced a drop in vaccination coverage levels in all vaccine categories. These universities need to improve vaccination coverage rates for the 2006 assessment year.
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The remaining schools assessed showed no change or an increase in vaccination coverage rates. These schools are recognized for their efforts to maintain and improve rates.
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Overall, by maintaining high vaccination coverage levels, these universities have reduced the risk for outbreaks of measles, mumps, rubella and diphtheria. They have also decreased the risk of encountering cases of tetanus.